Top for vehicles and the like



Aug. 1 1925. 1,550,176

F. K. LEWIS TOP FOR VEHICLES AND THE LIKE Filed Got. 16. 1920 2 Sheet -Sheet 1 abhwsmy Aug. 18, 1925. 1,550,176

' F. K. LEWIS TOP FOR VEHICLES AND THE LIKE F'iled Oct. 16. 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 18, 1925.

1,550, ATENT OFF-1e5- rnnn K. Lewis, on AsHrABULA, OHIO.

TOP FOR VEHICLES AN1? THE LIKE. i

I Application 'filed. October 16, 1920. Serial No. 4.173410.

To all to from it may concern.

Be it known that I, Finn) K. LEWIS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of. Ashtabula, county of Ashtabula, and

State of Ohio, have invented a .new and useful Improvement in Tops for Vehicles and the like, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained, and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

The present improved top belongs to the class of so-called one man tops, in which the top structure is supported wholly or mainly from a. single main bow or standard. The name clear vision tops is sometimes applied to the type in question and is the more appropriate term since the effect sought is not merely convenience and ease of operation in. folding and unfolding the top, but also doing away with any supports for the top along the sides of the car which interfere with the vision of the occupants or the hanging and operation of suitable side curtains or other enclosing means when it becomes necessary to. protect the occupants against the weather.

In addition to accomplishing the foregoing general objects,the present invention is more particularly designed to provide a top structure of the type in question, which may be supported from a single rearwardly inclined main bow, so that when the top is extended, the entire tonneau space forwardly of such main bow will be clear of any obstruction, even where such touneau is a two-seated one. A further object is to provide an arrangement of bows whereby, when folded, the latter will form a neat and compact stack capable of being conveniently enclosed in a boot. A further object is to provide a construction that, when the top is extended, will afford a rigid support for the top covering even where the top is a long one, such, for example, as is commonly known as a five-bow top. so that four bows require to be supported from such single main bow or standard. I

To the accomplishment of the foregoing andrelated ends, the invention then consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention,

such disclosed means constituting, however, but several of the Various mechanical forms in which the principle of said invention may be used.

- in said annexed drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of atop supporting structure or frame embodying my present improvements, such top being shown as mounted on an automobile body or tonneau of conventional form and as being viewed from the inside; Fig. 2 is a broken view similar to that. of Fig. 1', showing a modification in detail of the construction of said Fig, 1; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but. showing a five-bow top, the additional bow being interposed between the second and third bows of the construction of Fig. .1; Fig. 4; is a view similar to the foregoing figures and shows a five-bow structure on the order of that shown in Fig. 3, but with a different system of links for interconnecting the several bows; Fig. 5 similarly illustrates a five-bow top structure, in which, however, the additional bow, referringto the structure of Fig. 1, is added forwardly of the furtherest extending outrigger bow instead of between the second and third bows; and Figs. 6 and 7 are side elevations of top' supporting structures, in which a modification in the. attachment of the forwardly extending bows to the main bow or standard is illustrated, such top being shown as comprising four bows, although not necessarily limited to that number. l i

It is of course a matter of indifference whether the top is used on automobile, motor boat or otherwise, and, depending upon its longitudinal extent, a smaller or largernumber of bows may be employed in the forwardly extending or outrigger structure of present interest, as indicated by the several modifications in this respect that are illustrated in the drawings. It will also be understood that the term bow is used herein inclusively to designate, not merely the wooden bow proper, but also the metallic sockets or equivalent members-that carry the same, these parts, when regarded in side elevation, constituting the equivalent of the so-called sticks in the all wooden bow type of construction. It is accordingly a matter of convenience to refer to the parts in the singular, as though the structure lay in a single vertical plane, since the parts of interest do actually lie substantially in such aplane;

As previously indicated, the top covering 1 is designed to be entirely supported through an outrigger structure from a single main bow or standard 2. The latter, which is of substantial construction in view of the weight it is thus designed to carry, is pivotally supported upon, or attached to, the body of the vehicle at the point 3 in the usual manner, so that it may be laid down and supported in a substantially horizontal plane when the top is not in use. Normally, in the extended or open condition of the top, said main how 2 inclines rearwardly at an agle of approximately 45 degrees to the horizontal, being held from rising higher by the top covering, or by special straps, (not shown) or extensions of the longitudinal strainers, which, as is well known, are used to connect the bows together and provide supporting means for the top covering intermediately between said bows. For the purpose in hand such straps or strainers do not require to be distinguished from, but may be regarded as a part of the covering material.

Referring, first, to the specific embodiment of my improved top illustrated in Fig. 1, the outrigger structure will be seen to comprise a main articulated auxiliary bow, or, as it is sometimes called, outrigger bow 6, the latter term referring more particularly to the outer portion or bow 7 proper, which is secured to the main bow by means of an arm 8, (one on each side of course) pivotally attached to said main bow and to the rear end of said outrigger bow, and so constituting the inner portion of said articulated auxiliary bow 6. The point of attachment of this arm to the main bow is preferably in line with, or just above, the side edge of the top covering 1 so as to be hidden by the latter, and the joint 9 between said arm and the outrigger bow is a rule joint, disposed so as to prevent upward bending of the arm in question, when extended in horizontal fashion, as in the open condition of the top illustrated in Fig. 1.

Pivotally attached to the arm 8 is a supplemental bow 10, that, in such open condition of the top, is designed to extend forwardly at an angle with respect to said arm so as to support the cover 1 at a point approximately midway between the main bow 2 and the outrigger bow 7. The lower end 10 of this supplemental bow is extended past the point of pivotal attachment of the latter to the arm 8, and such extension is in turn connected by means of a link 10 with the main bow 2 below the point of attachment of said arm to said main bow. The effect of this link is to sustain the outrigger bow, supplemental bow and other parts carried thereby, in fixed angular relation to the main bow' when the top structure is extended. At the same time said link 10 will fold up alongside the main bow when the top is collapsed, such folding being correlated with the folding of the other component parts. The joint between the extension 10 and link 10 is shown as a locking pivotal connection, a rule joint being found desirable in order to limit the upper bending beyond the position shown in Fig. 1.

A second two-part articulated outrigger or auxiliary bow is also provided, this bow having its rear portion 11 pivotally attached at spaced points 12 and 13 to said supplemental how 10 and to the forward portion 7 of such first outrigger bow, respectively. The outer portion 17 of this second outrigger bow is designed to lie in a substantially horizontal plane when the top is open, and supports the extreme forward portion of the top covering in such position, such bow being suitably attached to the front part of the body through the windshield frame 18, or other means as found most convenient. l Vhile the joint 19, between the rear portion 11 and the forward portion 17 of such second auxiliary outrigger bow is preferably a rule joint as shown, a link 20 is desirably utilized to connect the two outrigger bows to relieve this joint of some of the strain imposed thereon, and more particularly to assist in folding the parts when the top is being collapsed.

As thus far described the construction of the top under consideration corresponds substantially with lthat described and claimed in my copending application, filed July 31, 1919, Serial No. 314,514. As constituting a feature of improvement over such previous design attention is accordingly directed to the construction of the arm 8 whereby the first auxiliary or outrigger how 7 is swingably supported from the main bow 2. As clearly snown in Fig. 1 this arm is itself articulated, being formed with a joint 8, the distance of which from the main bow is such that when the link 10 is folded up alongside the latter, the correspondin section of the swing arm will similarly lie substantially parallel with the main bow, as shown more or less diagrammatically in dotted outline in the figure under consideration. The result of thus articulating the swing arm, whereby the first outrigger bow 7 is carried, is to permit the use of an arm of greater length than would otherwise be practicable since thereby the joint 9 in the folded condition of the parts of the top is correspondingly raised above the pivot point 3 of the main bow 2, and the second or foremost outrigger bow 7 when folded up has its'joint 1.9 correspondingly raised, thus producing a neat, compact stack, in which no bow projects unduly in either direction with respect to the main bow.

The joint 8 need not necessarily be a rule joint since the strain or pull on the swing arm 8 in the extended condition of the top a ii is of course forwardly, but the ends of the portions ot the arm which meet at suchjoint are preferably bent downwardly so as to throw such joint oil center with respect to a line drawn between the point of pivotal at tachment of said arm, the main bow 2 and the point of attachment of the supplemental bow. to said swing arm, in order to prevent undesired locking action when the top isbeing raised into its extended position. I have-found moreover that it is not neces sary that the two parts of the swing arm should extend in the same line asshown in 1 when the top is fully raised, but as shown in Fig.2 the rear portion of the arm in question may, in such condition oi. the top, extend downwardly alongside the main bow 2 from the point of its pivotal attachment to the latter. It is merely a question of design and proportioning of parts whether this rear section of the link extends thus horizontally or downwardly. It will be understood that the construction of top shown in Fig. 2, other than in the particu lars stated, is the same as that shown in Fig. l.

In Fig. 3, as previously indicated in the general description of the drawings, an out rigger structure is illustrated in which tour bows are employed, wholly supported from the main bow 2, making five bows, altog-ether. of the first or auxiliary outrigger how 6 and of supplemental bow 10, being substantially the same in both constructions, do not require to be again forth, although, due to difference in dimensions of parts, it will be observed that the length of link it? and of the rear section of swing arm 8, as well as the location of the several points of pivotal attachment of the parts in question to each other vary somewhat in the two designs. In the construction of Fig. 3, instead of a single supplemental how 10 being carried by the rear portion or swing arm of the first auxiliary how, I pivotally attach a second supplemental how on such arm intermediate of the joint 9 by which the outrigger how 7 is attached to said arm, and the point of pivotal attachment of the first supplemental how 10 to such arm. In the extended condition of the top supplemental how 25 inclines forwardly and will support the top covering 1 at a point approximately mid way between said bows 7 and 10, thus permitting the latter to be spaced correspondingly, but much farther apart than in the four-bow top of l. The how 10 is then connected by means ot a link 26 with the outer portion i of said auxiliary or outrigger how 6 at a point beyond the joint 9 between the parts thereof, and the second outrigger how 17 is supported by means oi a link 2'? hat is pivoted at an intermediate point 28 to The construction and disposition.

the how 7, just as is link 11 in the case of the first described construction, but instead of having its rear end pivotally attached to the supplemental how 10, said linlk 27 is pivotally attached at the point 29 to the second supplemental how 25. A link 20 is used as before to connect the outrigger bow 1'? with the outrigger bow 7.

The operation of this last described con- 'struction of top in being folded is believed to be suiiiciently indicated by the dotted lines on 3, showing same in substantially'tolded condition, without further onplanation being necessary.

In Fig. i, I again illustrate the adaptation of my improved swing arm construction in connection with afive-bow top just as in Fig. 3, but with a slightly different system of linkage between the several forwardly extending bows. Such difi erence consists in the substitution for the long link 26, extending as previously described from the supplemental bow 10 to a point on the first auriliary or outrigger bow 6 beyond the joint therein, of a shorter link 30 extending from said first supplemental how 10 to the second supplemental bow 25. The manner in which the forward outrigger bow 17 is supported remains the same and requires no additional description over that already given in connection with Fig. 3. The mode of operation is likewise of course substantially the same, the two links 27 and 30 folding up parallel with each other just as do links 26 and 27 in the previously described construction.

Where it is desired to construct a.fivebow top utilizing my improved design of swing arm, instead of attaching a second supplemental bow on the swing arm forwardly of the supplemental how 10, which is operatively interconnected with the main bow 2 through the link 10 i may employ a third so-called outrigger how, this being the construction illustrated in Fig. 5. For the purpose in hand the construction in said Fig. 5 may be regarded as otherwise substantially identical with that of Fig. 1, and the parts have been correspondingly lettered so :tar as they are duplicated in the two figures, although there is again a slight diiii'erence in the dimensions of certain of these parts, as, for instance, the length and angular diposition of link 10 and the length 01 the rear portion of the articulated swing arm 8. In the modified construction under consideration, however, as just noted, a third outrigger bow constitutes the. foremost element in the top structure, this how being pivotally attached at its rear end to a link 36 that is pivoted at an intermediate point 37 to outrigger how 17 and at its rear end to outrigger bow T. Said link 86, in other words, corresponds in position, and partly in function, with link in the previously described constructions, but is extended forwardly beyond the outrig 'er how 17 in order thus to carry the additional outrigger bow 35. As in the case of such previously described constructions a link 38 is desirably utilized to connect the forward portions of outrigger bows l7 and in order to relieve the joint whereby the latter is attached to the link 36 from some of the strain imposed thereon when the top is in. its extended condition, and to assist in folding the parts when the top is being collapsed.

In Fig. 6 T illustrate the utilization of my improved articulated swing arm in a construction of top that, aside from the main feature of construction, differs markedly from those thus considered. Thus, instead of having two or three outrigger bows, the rearmost of which is articulated, ll employ a single suchbow so, the outer portion 41 of which, constituting the outrigger bow proper, supports the extreme forward portion of the top covering 1 and is attached to the windshield 18 in the extended condition of the top. The rear portion 42 of this how, however, constitutes a swing arm that corresponds in all respects with the swing arm 8 of the previously described constructions, and, like the latter, is articulated or jointed at a point 43 removed a short distance from the point of attachment of said arm to the main bow 2. A further divergence will be seen in the case of the construction in hand, in that the rear supplemental bow -14, while pivotally attached to the swing arm 42 in a fashion similar to that in which the swing arm 10 in the previously described constructions is attached to swing arm 8, has a downward extension 45 that is directly pivotally attached to the main bow 2 at a point below the point of pivotal attacl merit of the swing arm to said main bow. A second supplemental bow 426 is carried by the swing arm as, being pivotally attached thereto at a point intermediate of the joint 4? between the same and the outrigger how 41 proper nd the point of pivotal attachment of supplemental bow to said arm. A link 48 connects said second supplemental bow with the outrigger bow 41-1 and a second link 49 is pivotally attached at its rear end to the first supplemental bow and at its front end to such first named link at a point intermediate of its ends after the fashion of the links in Patent Reissue No. 141,982, dated November 9, 1920.

The utilization of a supplemental bow of the special construction shown in the figure last described, i. e. having its lower end downwardly extended and directly pivotally attached to the main bow instead of through the medium of a link, is not limited to the particular kind of outrigger structure shown in said figure, but may be employed just as well with an outrigger structure of the type shown in Fig. 1 or 5. Thus in Fig. 7, I show such adaptation to a four-bow top, in which the outrigger structure is of the type in question instead of the type shown in Fig. 6. Inasmuch as the parts otherwise are substantially the same as in such preceding figure it is not deemed necessary to separately designate such parts, but merely to note that the rear portion of the swing arm is not continued in a direct line with the main part thereof in the open condition of the top, but lies at a downwardly inclined angle; also that the downward extension of the supplemental bow 4: 1- is curved rearwardly to conform with the cut of the rear side curtain, which in this type of top is desirably made continuous with the top cover.

The two last described constructions pro vide an unusually rigid and satisfactory support for the top covering, even for tops requiring four or five bows. The top can be made extremely shallow and the sides left clear practically all the way back to the main bow 2, inasmuch as the downward extension 45 of the rear supplemental bow merely cuts across the corner formed between said main bow and the swing arm 42, and, if desired, such extension may be curved upwardly so as to still further clear this corner. The manner of operation in folding is sufficiently indicated by the dotted outline of the bows in their partially folded condition.

It will be understood that in each of the several constructions hereinbefore described, the top folds or collapses more or less auto matically upon breaking the joint between the swing arm or lever (as the case may be) and the outrigger bow carried thereby. The foremost outrigger bow, where more than one figures in the construction, of course requires to be preliminarily disconnected from the windshield 18. It will be further noted that the tube or socket of the main how 2 does not extend above the point of attachment of the rear section of the articulated swing arm thereto, and that the point of attachment of the link 10 from the extension of the first supplemental bow, or of such extension itself in the case of the construction illustrated in Fig. 6, to the main bow, is located below the point in question, so that there is no need of any bracket or clamp projecting above said point, i. e., beyond the end of said tube. Ample room is thus left for the top material to fall in proper folds without any obstacle being interposed, as well as for the rear portion of the articulated swing arm, which, when folded, extends upwardly beyond the end of the tube.

It will be noted that whatever its particular form, the supplemental bow, as hereinbef'ore termed, lies in a forwardly inclining direction with respect to the main support or bow in the open position of the top, and that the upper end of said supplemental bow in such position of the top lies substantially directly over thepoint of attachment of said main support to the vehicle body. It will further be observed that the extension of the inner end of such supplemental bow, and this is equally true of the extension of the inner member or swing arm of the first articulated auxiliary bow, in combination with the link whereby such extension is connected with the main support or bow, constitute link and lever means which, as illustrated, may take on a variety of forms.

@ther modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. In a top for vehicles and the like, the combination of a main support; a jointed arm swingably attached thereto; a foldable outrigger structure supported by said arm; a supplemental bow pivotally attached to said arm forwardly of the joint therein;

and a link connected at one end of said bow at a point removed from its point of attachment to said arm and at its other end to said support at a point below the point of attachment of said arm thereto.

2. In a top for vehicles and the like, the combination of a main support; a jointed arm swingably attached thereto; a foldable outrigger structure supported by said arm; a supplemental bow pivotally attached to said arm forwardly of the joint therein and having an extension; and a link connecting such extension with said support at a point below the point of attachment of said arm thereto.

3. in a top for vehicles and the like, the combination of a main support; a jointed arm swingably attached thereto; a foldable outrigger structure supported by said arm; a supplemental bow pivotally attached to said arm forwardly of the oint therein and having an extension; and a link connecting such extension with said support at a point below the point of attachment of said arm thereto, the joint between said link and such extension locking in the extended position of the top.

Signed by me, this 11th day of October, 1920.

FRED K. LEWIS. 

